As a dedicated member of the Loose Women gang, it’s no surprise Andrea McLean is used to having an honest natter. Within minutes of meeting us, she’s revealing how she used to have to ‘wear sanitary towels under her armpits’ before going live on air. Why? Well, it’s no secret that Andrea underwent a hysterectomy in 2016, which sent her ‘head first’ into the menopause aged 47.

"I think women can feel so embarrassed talking about the realities of it, but the thing is, it can’t be avoided," she says with a smile. "At some point we’re all going to go through the menopause, and the more open I am about it, the better."

Digging into a fancy afternoon tea at a London hotel, Andrea is dolled up in tight leather trousers, sky-high heels and a gold sequin blazer. You wouldn’t think she was experiencing any hot flushes – but that’s all down to her secret weapon: a special black vest that keeps sweat attacks at bay, from a new Become range that she’s fronting.

"It’s changed my life," says Andrea. "The best part is that it looks completely normal, so you don’t have to tell anyone what it does. 75% of women suffer profuse sweating during the menopause, so if a simple top can help regulate temperature, it is well worth it."

The material helps to cool you down, while wicking away sweat and stopping the bacteria that creates pong. Great news for women strugging with sweats and hot flushes.

A newly-wed, having just tied the knot in November with third husband and partner of four years Nick, Andrea can’t believe how far she has come since her struggle with endometriosis and the perimenopause meant she had to have the hysterectomy two years ago.

Andrea and Nick on their wedding day (Image: Instagram/staceysolomon)

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"It was a big decision to make in my 40s, but it had to be done. The hardest part was the recovery and the strain it put on my body. I had to take it easy for six weeks and give myself time to heal. Nick, luckily, didn’t let me lift a finger."

Andrea met Nick through a blind date, and they each have two children of their own (Nick has two girls and Andrea has Amy, 11, and Finlay, 16), but that didn’t mean they didn’t discuss having kids together. Something that made her decision to go ahead with the surgery even harder.

"I was just getting into a really, really happy relationship with a lovely man, so it was a big thing. I knew I’d be an older mum, but it was thought we could still maybe have children if we wanted to. But I was also in constant pain [from the endometriosis] and couldn’t carry on any longer. Luckily, he just said, 'If you’re OK, I’m OK, that’s all that counts.' So we had a big hug and counted our blessings."

After surgery, Andrea was surprised at how different she felt – physically and emotionally.

"I was already nervous beforehand about the whole thing. I lay in bed worrying about falling off a cliff emotionally, becoming very down and depressed with feelings of loss. I was happy and my kids were in a really good place and I thought, what if I spoil all of this? What if I become a hormonal wreck that everyone else has to pick up?

"Luckily, I just kept a positive attitude. When I could get up after a week or so and take off my hospital stockings, I made sure I had a shower and put a little bit of make-up on. Not for anyone else but myself. I hated looking in the bathroom mirror and thinking I looked like death. It was important to keep my spirits up so I didn’t go mad."

Andrea on Loose Women (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

For any woman, sitting still for six weeks is a struggle. But having worked on TV since her 20s (starting out as a weather reporter), Andrea was pleased to get back into the swing of her normal routine.

"I feel bad because Nick always sees me after the glam," she laughs. "I am lucky to get my hair and make-up done for work, but as soon as I’m home the make-up comes off and the hair goes in a ponytail. The leggings come on! That’s why when we go out, I like to get really dressed up for him."

Is there much time for romance working full-time and juggling a family with four children?

"It is rare. But if the kids are out, we’ll make sure we go out for a nice meal, or worse case, just stay in with a Chinese. We like hanging out with each other. But he would never judge me if we didn’t get dolled up to go out. He isn’t like that. He’s just a really kind man. Sometimes, later in life, you realise that someone who is funny and kind is all you need. Hey, it’s taken me a while to realise, but I’m glad I finally have!"

Marrying in an intimate family setting last November, the party may have been a hoot, but the ceremony wasn’t short of a few hitches.

"When we got to that bit 'does anyone here know any reason…?', the photographer said, 'Well, actually…' as a joke and legally the whole ceremony ground to a halt. The officiator said the whole thing could have been cancelled there and then. But now, it’s hilarious."

Every bride may be a little sad to store away the fairy tale gown after a wedding, but one perk of Andrea’s job is getting to go to glitzy award ceremonies.

"I don’t have the chance to get dressed up much, but when I do, I’ll wear something beautiful," she smiles, tucking into a scone.

"A few years ago I went to the BAFTAs and wore a stunning, corseted, mermaid dress, but halfway through the night I was desperate for a wee and I couldn’t get it off. I was stood in the loos with a friend when I realised it was going nowhere, as it was too tight to move in the cubicle. So I had to hail a cab and go home, so my friend could take the dress off me. She was howling the entire time, of course. Then we did the best job we could getting me back into it and went back to the party. So my most glamorous moment was my most embarrassing too."

Andrea McLean at the BAFTAs 2010 (Image: PA)

When she’s not at awards do’s or on the set of Loose Women, Andrea is most likely to be found in full mum mode, a juggling act she finds tiring, but rewarding.

"It makes me a better mum, because when I’m with them, I’m with them, I’m interested in what they have to say because I’ve done something stimulating. I can get stressy and run around while Nick gets grumpy and shouts, but once they’ve all gone to bed, if you can crack open a bottle of wine and just sit and laugh about it, that is the best remedy. Laughter is more important than romance."

Lazy lie-in or up with the lark?

After a lie-in on Sunday morning, my parents, the kids and I normally head to a pub that my brother-in-law runs to meet him, my sister and their daughter. We will enjoy a nice roast lunch, then walk it all off in the park.

Hungover or fresh as a daisy?

I like to wake up with a slight hangover. Not a massive one, a really slight one that shows you’ve had a fun Saturday night.

Sunday lunch at home or pub roast?

The best is when I get to have my whole family round – all the kids, my parents, Nick’s family, and I just make everybody Sunday dinner.

Gym or lazy day?

Whatever the weather, we take the dogs for a walk in the afternoon.

Boxsets or Sunday papers?

To round off the evening, we’ll watch TV. It’s just lovely family time, and I do cherish that at the weekend, it’s so precious. We all put on our onesies – apart from my son, who is a teenager and doesn’t want to! Then we’ll watch TV for the rest of the night.

Fry-up or avocado on toast?

A dream Sunday begins with a bacon and egg butty and a cup of tea. Or I’ll make the kids some pancakes. It’s something I’ve done since they were tiny.